India's top spot at stake

A series triumph over South Africa will not just consolidate India's number one status in the ICC rankings but will also win the team a USD 175,000 prize money and the coveted Test Championship mace.

"Whoever finishes top will win the annual USD 175,000 prize while Australia could yet finish second by the annual cut-off date (April 1) and pocket USD 75,000," the ICC said in a statement.

Apart from this, Indian opener Gautam Gambhir and South Africa captain Graeme Smith will battle out for the number-one batting position.

India are leading South Africa by four ratings points and the home side will drop to second if the Proteas win the series by 1-0 or better.

India though need to draw the series to retain the number-one position and the mace which it had snatched from South Africa on December 6 after defeating Sri Lanka 2-0.

Although Bangladesh will host England and Australia will travel to New Zealand for two Tests series before the April 1 cut-off date, the result of those two series will have no impact on the number one position.

If South Africa beats India 1-0, it will go to 123 ratings points and India will drop to 122 ratings points while in case of a 2-0 win, the Proteas will rise to 125 ratings points and India will drop to 120 ratings points.